Roof leaking: Should I call the insurance company...

[Douglas Pollock]

Should I contact the insurance company? I just received a call from my PM. The tenants reported a roof leak and it’s still raining. The PM recommends I call the insurance company tonight if possible. The property is in Georgia and is due to receive more heavy rain on Wednesday as the hurricane that’s in the gulf moves across the US and toward the rental. I found out during a hurricane a couple years ago that the deductible goes up to a percentage of the home’s value during a named storm, so my gut says I should contact the insurance company. Is there any emrsason I should wait? I don’t know the extent of the issue at the moment. The tenants are still in the home. Does rental insurance usually cover any costs associated with the tenants if they need to leave?